Tag: Sick Kids Hospital

Curtains Up: transformation at Sick Kids

A transformation has been afoot at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children this week.

Capital Theatres’ Learning and Participation Coordinator Cat Sheridan has been working with Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) arts team at the hospital to tempt those who can climb out of their beds to transform their space into one filled with their own stories and imagination.

A continuation of a brilliant established relationship between Capital Theatres and ECHC throughout 2020, Curtains Up is a brand-new project which brings a bit of old school overhead projector fun to bedsides, creating unique and playful scenes on the inside of hospital curtains.

The children created original drawings which have been projected and traced onto their hospital bed curtains, proudly displaying their art to their families and the rest of the ward. Curtains Up gives children autonomy over their environment while staying in hospital, creates a child centric environment and fosters creativity between families and staff.

Mackenzie and Cat Sheridan working together on Curtains Up

Cat Sheridan, Learning and Participation Coordinator at Capital Theatres, said: “We are hugely excited to be back working in partnership with Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity on this project.

“It has been a real treat for me to deliver on the wards, working with fantastic staff and being greeted by so many smiles. The joy is in seeing children and their families grow in confidence, take charge and have so much fun! Our aim is to encourage creativity and boost their sense of well-being. All through transforming something as simple as curtain with a bit of imagination.”

Fiona O’Sullivan, Deputy Director of Children’s Wellbeing, said: “The visits from Capital Theatres always prove hugely popular with children and young people in the hospital so we are very excited to welcome them back for the Curtains Up project.

“Decorating their hospital space is a fantastic and fun way for children to get creative and make their bedside environment feel a little less scary and more like their own home. 

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Capital Theatres for getting involved with our vital arts programme as it’s projects like this one that enable ECHC to continue to transform the lives of children and young people in hospital.”

Lesley-Ann, play specialist, said: “It was such engaging activity for the older age groups to do. It’s something thing different and was so nice to see them engage with it so much. Nancy went away with big a smile on her face, she was totally loving it!” 

Nancy and her mother

Sick Kids Hospital staff virtual choir performs ‘Lean on Me’

Doctors, nurses and frontline workers from Edinburgh’s Sick Kids hospital have recorded an uplifting video as a virtual choir to boost morale and show the health benefits of singing during the pandemic.

The moving performance of ‘Lean on Me’ by Bill Withers was created and coordinated by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) – which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – with the aim of bringing the hospital community together and raising people’s spirits at a difficult time.

Over 80 doctors, nurses, radiologists, physio and occupational therapists and ECHC team members, including sopranos, altos, basses and tenors, recorded videos of themselves singing their individual pieces at home, which the charity then edited together.

Dr Kirsty Hogg, Paediatric Doctor at the Sick Kids who appears in the virtual choir video, said: “Taking part in the virtual choir was a fantastic experience and the final product is a beautiful example of what we can achieve when we all work together, even in these unusual times.

“This was a lovely idea by the charity and I’m delighted to have been involved. It is a message of hope and solidarity to show that we are all in this together and are helping each other through.”

ECHC usually runs the Sick Kids Community Choir for hospital staff on a weekly basis. The choir performs for patients in the hospital and at fundraising and community events.

Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager at ECHC, said: “From our work with children and families at the hospital, we know how beneficial singing can be as a way to bring people together and as a distraction during times of stress.

“The power of music is amazing and it is at times like this when it can have the biggest impact. When we put the initial call out about the virtual choir, we didn’t expect to get the response that we did. It has been absolutely incredible.

“We chose the song ‘Lean on Me’ because it has such a strong message of support. We wanted to give people a sense of closeness and community at a time when many are missing their family and friends.

“We also wanted to help people to relax and have fun. Singing lifts your spirits and makes you feel good, so is hugely beneficial to our mental health. We hope the video will help to spread a little positivity during this difficult time.”

The video can be downloaded from ECHC’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFWkifyjLTU

ECHC is running a COVID-19 Emergency Appeal to support children, families and staff at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and other healthcare settings across the Lothians through the pandemic.

Donations can be made at https://echcharity.org/support-us/covid-19-appeal

Charity provides Emergency Supply Packs to Sick Kids’ Hospital

An Edinburgh children’s charity is providing emergency supply packs to support children and families in hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) – which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – has launched an emergency appeal to help families having to cope with the impact of the outbreak on top of the distress of having a sick or injured child.  

The free emergency packs contain non-perishable food products and essential items including nappies, toilet roll, tinned soup, beans and tea bags so parents and carers do not have the additional stress of shopping for their families while their child is in hospital.  

As well as emergency parcels, ECHC is working hard to continue to provide its services to the RHSC during the pandemic. The charity’s hospital shop is staying open to fuel NHS staff over the coming weeks; it has launched a telephone support service to give advice and assurance to families; play specialists continue to provide smiles and distraction while the ward playrooms are closed; and it is continuing to provide parent accommodation so families can stay close to their children during lockdown.  

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “The safety of children, families and NHS staff is our immediate priority. These are unprecedented times for all of us and, just like at home, things are different at the ‘Sick Kids’. Children and families are anxious as the pandemic progresses. 

 “Right now, people may be feeling scared, stressed, isolated from family and friends or worrying how they will keep themselves and their family fed and occupied. Now imagine if you also had a child in hospital. 

“The incredible NHS staff are working round the clock to make sure every child gets exceptional care throughout the crisis and we at ECHC are doing everything we can to help to reduce fear and isolation and to comfort and support families when they need it most.   

“This is why we have launched our COVID-19 Emergency Appeal as we urgently need donations to continue to do this. Times are difficult for all of us, but if anyone would still like to give, donations could provide a family with a much-needed food pack, fund a special play session at a child’s bedside or pay for a mum and dad to stay in our parent accommodation and be close to their child at the toughest of times.”  

A donation of £10 could fund an emergency supply pack for one family, £15 could fund a special bedside play or creative session and £50 could pay for parents and carers to stay in ECHC’s parent accommodation for one week. 

Donations can be made online at https://echcharity.org/support-us/covid-19-appeal 

Olympic torch shines at Sick Kids

‘The Olympic torch signifies strength, bravery and persistence – something which the patients of Edinburgh’s children’s hospital have bags of’ – Rachel McKenzie, Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

Katie Ford and Olympic Torch

Ultra-marathon cyclist Katie Ford visited the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh recently to see the impact the Olympic torch she donated to the children’s hospital is having on patients of the Paediatric Neurology ward. Former Olympic torch-bearer Katie also presented a cheque for its new display case.

The iconic beacon, which featured in the London 2012 Olympic Games’ torch relay, has now been installed at the top of the hospital’s Ward 7 corridor to inspire young patients to try and walk the length of the pathway following major surgery.

Katie, who experienced up to three Grand-Mal epileptic seizures a week and up to15 Petit-Mal seizures a day spent five years in and out of the Sick Kids hospital as a youngster.

Fifteen years ago, the inspirational 29-year-old underwent life-changing surgery using equipment funded by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF). The video telemetry equipment was used to investigate Katie’s seizures and has allowed her to go on and participate in a number of gruelling charity cycles including Race Across America – an impressive 3,000 mile cycle trail with a 9 day time limit.

Glasgow born Katie said: “It’s fantastic to return to the hospital that gave me so much support in overcoming my epilepsy. The Sick Kids Friends Foundations’ funding meant I could go through the work up testing that allowed me to be selected for neurosurgery that changed my life, and will always have a special place in my heart for that reason.

“It’s so humbling to see the Olympic torch I carried during the 2012 relay take pride of place at Ward 7. I have been privileged enough to meet so many kids with epilepsy here whose dignity and strength is incredible and even helped me carrying on riding during the toughest part of the Race Across America.

“Without the staff and patients of Ward 7 and the hospital, I would never have had the honour of carrying the Olympic flame, or even been able to ride a bike safely. Because of this, I feel the torch belongs here and not with me. It’s an incredible thing and I just hope it continues to inspire the brave, young patients of ward 7 to get back on their feet as soon as they can, because they’ve already inspired me to do more with my own life.”

Rachel McKenzie, head of fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, added: “We feel very lucky to have such a treasured possession among the wards at the RHSC and are extremely grateful to Katie for this priceless gift. The Olympic torch signifies strength, bravery and persistence – something which the patients of Edinburgh’s children’s hospital have bags of.

“At the Foundation we’re working hard to ensure children are less scared during their time in hospital and have a positive experience – the Olympic torch is a fantastic asset which lights up ward 7 for our young patients. I have no doubt it will go on to inspire some future athletes and Olympians who, like Katie, will overcome the biggest of challenges.”

Pictured: Karen Duguid, Senior Charge Nurse from West Lothian, Katie Ford who donated the torch and Margaret McEwan, Play Specialist from East Lothian with the Olympic torch on Ward 7 at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

Go ahead for new Sick Kids

Plans to build a replacement for Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC ) and Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DCN) have been approved.

The new building, next to the Royal Infirmary at  Little France, will provide a replacement for the current children’s hospital at Sciennes, the Department of Clinical Neurosciences currently based at the Western General Hospital and new facilities for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) which will move from the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

The project is due to be completed in 2017 and is part of the NPD and hub initiative pipeline, supported by the Scottish Futures Trust, which will see £750 million of investment in health facilities across Scotland.

Negotiations over the site for the new building, currently car park B at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, have delayed the project but these were completed in August. Approval of the outline business case will see NHS Lothian take the next step in the process to select a private sector partner to design, build, finance and maintain the new facility.

Health Secretary Alex Neil made the announcement as he met young patients and staff at the current Royal Hospital for Sick Children. He also confirmed his commitment to investing over £1billion in NHS Scotland capital projects over the next two years, including £485m in 2013-14.

Mr Neil said: “I am pleased to say that the outline business case for the new RHSC and DCN has been approved meaning work to get the new hospital up and running for 2017 can move apace. “There have been delays with the new Sick Kids Hospital in the past, due to land and commercial issues with an inherited PFI contract on the proposed site. I am pleased to say that there is now a framework in place to resolve the legal and commercial issues that arose in the original contract. “This project is part of a £750 million health pipeline delivering a range of improvements to hospital and community health facilities right across Scotland.

“We have already seen £1bn being pumped into our hospitals and health centres since 2011 and I can confirm that another £1bn will be invested over the next two years. In 2013 alone we will invest nearly £500m. “I’ve been clear in the past that investing in our infrastructure is vital to growing our economy and the NHS presents huge opportunities to do this. Not only will it bring benefits to business and more jobs but it also means that patients can be treated in the best possible surroundings. “High quality health services as close to home as possible is what the people of Scotland want, and that is something this Government is determined to give them.”

Dr Charles Winstanley, Chair of NHS Lothian said: “Having the outline business case approved is a significant step forward in this important project. The benefits of having children’s, maternity and adult services on the same site are well documented. This project to re-provide services from the RHSC and DCN will create a centre of excellence at Little France, bringing paediatric care, specialist neonatal care, neurosciences and A&E together. The proximity to the University and the BioQuarter will also improve opportunities for partnership working and bring research to the bedside. We are working closely with the Scottish Futures Trust to plan the procurement process and, as required, we expect to advertise the project in the Official Journal of the European Union before the end of the year.”

The new hospital will cost around £150 million to build and brings together children’s, maternity and adult services on the same site. The new building will:

  • bring together paediatric care, specialist neonatal care, neurosciences and adult and children’s emergency departments all on one site, ensuring that that teams can share experience and expertise for the benefit of patients.
  • provide the ability to deliver paediatric and adult neurosurgery in the same theatre suite, maximising the utilisation of specialist equipment (e.g. intra-operative MRI) and expert staff, with direct internal access to age-appropriate critical care and wards
  • mental health services for children and young people on the same site as acute hospital services, supporting their physical and psychological care
  • joint-working and economies of scale in high-cost specialist clinical areas such as theatres and radiology
  • the opportunity to improve emergency access to services by incorporating a helipad on the roof of the new building